Abu Dhabi: Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz is adamant his team will cope well with the absence of star playmaker Nawaf Al Abid (picture above) ahead of tonight's AFC Champions League semi-final, first leg against Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis.
Midfielder Al Abid started eight out of Al Hilal’s 10 games in the AFC Champions League this season, but the Saudi international suffered an injury after the return leg of the quarter-finals against Al Ain and has not travelled with the team to Abu Dhabi.
“Nawaf is a key player for us, but we knew he was not available about a week ago, so we decided to leave him behind in Riyadh,” said Diaz.
“We have a strong group of players at Al Hilal, our team is not just about a player or two.”
Diaz, a former striker who scored for Argentina in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, joined Al Hilal in October 2016 and is yet to taste defeat in the AFC Champions League, winning six and drawing four of his 10 games in charge of the Saudi Arabian side so far.
Having played Persepolis twice already in Group D, Diaz is familiar with his opponents’ physical intensity and he expects his players to match it if they are to progress to the final.
“Our playing style is different to Persepolis, we are more technical while they tend to be more physical," explained the Argentine coach.
“But in games like these you have to do it all. We have to show physical presence as well as exploiting our advantage which is our technically superior players.”
With Abu Dhabi designated as the "home" venue for Al Hilal in the match against Persepolis, there is the firm belief that the team will also have the majority of the fans in attendance backing their side.
"We thank Emirati fans who will be supporting us and we hope we can reward them with a good performance," said Al Hilal midfielder Abdullah Otayf.
"Obviously, Saudi and Al Hilal fans don't need an invitation to be present."
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com